Kodomo welcomed new friends from Pikanini into our room at the beginning of the term. The educators focused on developing relationships with all the children and giving them time to understand the routines. We also divided the group into smaller group activities to ensure all children had a chance to take part, and focused on calm, predictable and slower-paced daily routines.  

We started a new routine on Thursdays, making this our special DEVOTION Day. We started at the beginning of the Bible, and each week we watch a new Bible story on the iPad (combining technology with learning). We pray and do a craft activity to match the story. In January, the children learned about Noah, played with a Noah’s Ark toy, and had toy animals to play with. Many of the children enjoyed this activity so much that we left it out for them to play with in February as well. In March, this extended into sea animals for Ocean Week and Moses and the Red Sea. 

We also started a fun activity once a month where children participate in a cooking activity. We usually plan something related to events each month. In February, the children made and decorated heart biscuits for Valentine’s Day. In March, the children made fruit salad for Harmony Day, celebrating differences.  

The Kodomo room also adopted some class pets – 2 goldfish, some smaller fish, and 2 Stick insects, which the children have called “Sticky and Buggy.” We placed them in the quiet space we created, which has fairy lights and a purple canopy. The children have shown a lot of interest in fish and in watching them swim about. Many of the children love holding stick insects and have learned to be very brave and very gentle with them.  

Late in February, we had our family “Meet and Greet” session. We loved having so many families join us! We set up 2 activities for the families to take part in – painting and stamping their handprints (which we will use for our family tree in the room), and a learning tree where the children threaded beads onto pipe cleaners and families wrote down a learning goal for their child. They then could find a special place to hang this on the tree.  

During February, which was National Hero Week, the children used cut-out shapes to paste and create a superhero. We spoke about what they are good at/what they enjoy doing. We had some lovely answers with some children saying that their mum or dad was their superhero, or their superpower was riding a bike or doing art. This is a great activity for promoting a positive self-image. We pasted a photo of their faces on the picture. Valentine’s Day was a wonderful time to talk about feelings and love. We read some lovely books, ‘When I’m feeling LOVED’ and ‘In my heart’. The children had so much fun pulling funny faces for all the different feelings! 

In March, we are hosting grandparents’ morning and are excited about all the families’ interest in joining us. We will have fun activities available for grandparents/families to do together, as well as an opportunity to make handprints for our family tree. What a wonderful first term it has been!!! 

Mrs Drennan 

Kodomo Room Curriculum Leader